July 14, 2026
Virginia Named the No. 3 State for Business. Here’s Why It Matters.
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- News + Press
CNBC has officially released its highly anticipated 2026 Top States for Business rankings, and the big news is out: Virginia has secured the No. 3 spot nationwide. While a statewide ranking provides an excellent macro indicator, its true value lies in the regional networks supporting it.
For companies operating within or looking to relocate to the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC), this ranking isn’t just an encouraging statistic; it’s direct validation of our strategic advantages.
World-Class Infrastructure Rated A+
CNBC awarded Virginia the No. 2 spot nationwide for Infrastructure alongside an A+ grade. At VTCRC, we turn this statewide infrastructure advantage into immediate, localized solutions across our regional footprints:
- In Blacksburg: Across 1.25 million square feet, we offer highly adaptable facilities ranging from turnkey office and lab solutions to shovel-ready pad sites. It’s also home to our coworking spaces and shared labs, giving scaling companies a direct pathway to establish and grow their operations.
- In Roanoke: We collaborate with regional partners, including the City of Roanoke, Carilion Clinic, the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance (RBIA), Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Roanoke Regional Partnership, and more to support the expansion of the area’s burgeoning entrepreneurial and biotechnology clusters.
- In Newport News: The Secure Energy Future Center (SEFC) at Tech Center Research Park serves as a collaborative hub for next-generation energy solutions.
Fueling the Innovation Engine
CNBC’s 2026 scorecard saw Virginia surge to No. 6 nationally in Technology and Innovation, rising from No. 8 last year and earning a distinguished A- grade. This upward trajectory is precisely where the VTCRC moves the needle. Home to over 200 research and technology-driven companies in Blacksburg alone, our multi-regional footprint provides the purpose-built environment that catalyzes commercial concepts into scalable business models.
Beyond traditional leasing, we offer resources that allow founders and remote teams to plug directly into the state’s momentum:
- COgro Coworking + Labs: Offers a professional environment for remote and hybrid teams, alongside a highly flexible footprint with turnkey, shared office options and BSL-2 wet and dry research labs.
- The Entrepreneur Resource Center (ERC): Funded in part by GO Virginia and supported by the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), the ERC connects founders directly to structured startup coaching, specialized programming, and the essential tools and networks required to launch and scale new ventures.
- Secure Energy Future Center (SEFC): Located in Newport News, SEFC advances next-generation energy solutions by providing technology training, networking, and resources.
- Regional Networks: Actively connects tenants to the broader innovation network, facilitating entry into regional programming, mentorship, and funding opportunities across Virginia.
Direct Proximity to a Top 5 Talent Pipeline
Human capital remains the top differentiator for corporate site selectors. Virginia secured the No. 5 spot in Education and the No. 10 spot in Workforce, highlighting an incredibly skilled talent pool.
VTCRC operationalizes this talent pool by sitting directly at the intersection of academic excellence and commercial enterprise. Our proximity to Virginia Tech, an elite R1 research university, puts corporate tenants at the gates of a premier pipeline of students, engineers, and researchers. This allows for seamless internship integrations, collaborative university research initiatives, and an organic workforce recruiting framework that positions our enterprises ahead of the talent curve.
The Virginia Advantage: Capital Efficiency Across the Commonwealth
A comprehensive look at the CNBC scorecard reveals that while Virginia advanced in major infrastructure and innovation categories, macroeconomic shifts affected others, namely a slight decline in the overall Economy and Business Friendliness metrics.
This is where VTCRC’s multi-regional ecosystem becomes a strategic asset. By operating across distinct Virginia markets, from the advanced technology corridor of Blacksburg-Roanoke to the specialized coastal technology hubs of Newport News, we give companies the structural flexibility to optimize their footprints based on specialized operational needs.
Notably, Virginia made massive gains in Cost of Living, jumping to No. 15 nationwide (up from No. 21 in 2025). VTCRC maximizes this statewide trend by pairing a premier lifestyle with an efficient operational cost structure.
| CNBC Category | 2026 Rank | 2026 Grade |
| Infrastructure | 2 | A+ |
| Education | 5 | A- |
| Technology & Innovation | 6 | A- |
| Access to Capital | 10 | B+ |
| Workforce | 10 | B- |
| Cost of Living | 15 | B |
| Quality of Life | 7 | B+ |
| Business Friendliness | 11 | B |
Space with Purpose
Virginia’s rise to the No. 3 spot confirms what we have always believed: our state is built for corporate resilience and technological progress. At VTCRC, we take that framework and ground it into spaces, relationships, and programs that allow businesses to reach their full potential.
Position Your Business at the Center of Virginia’s Innovation Economy
Whether you need premier commercial real estate, the flexible shared spaces of COgro Coworking + Labs, or the structured business support of the Entrepreneur Resource Center (ERC), we have the places and resources to accelerate your growth.
Ready to position your business at the center of Virginia’s top-tier innovation economy?